What were houses like on the goldfields?

Answer 1

Conditions on the Australian goldfields were crowded: miners had between 1 and 3 square metres of 'claim' to live and work. Conditions were unsanitary, due to the open toilet trenches. Diggers commonly lived in tents, which were simple ramshackle constructions of canvas stretched or draped over a support. Later, additions of bark might be added. Within these huts, the miners had a simple mat on the ground for their bed, with a blanket. Some even lived in rough, open bark shelters. People would live in small humpies made out of wood, scraps and things found around the area.

Those who stayed longer sometimes built larger slab hut dwellings, but these were still very basic. Later in the gold rush, when people were more certain about whether they were staying or not, people might decide to live in small cottages. These cottages often incorporated solid brick and stone fireplaces, instead of the diggers having to do all their cooking outside.

Those not living on the goldfields but capitalising on the wealth of the goldfields built large, grand stone houses, many of which are still standing today.

See the related Wikipedia link below, which offers some photos of goldfields housing.

Answer 2

The goldfields tended to be out in rocky country (though not always), and often in hilly countryside. They were characterised by many mullock heaps, or mounds of dirt which were the result of diggings. These mullock heaps varied from a few feet to many metres in height and width. Goldfields were dotted with tents and other simple canvas shelters, ramshackle bark or tin huts, and campfires. The more popular goldfields were crowded and unsanitary, with open latrines running nearby. As the population grew, some of the diggers would build larger, more permanent wooden slab huts, whilst others built their shelters out of kerosene tins and similar equipment. Scavenging dogs could be seen roaming around, and children wandered unsupervised through the diggings.

Answer 3

you would only get as much room to live in as a full school desk